Man wielding shovel facing several charges in Creal Springs

CREAL SPRINGS, Ill. (KBSI) – A man wielding a shovel faces charges after Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a mini mart.

Dalton R. Murphy faces charges of disorderly conduct, assault, aggravated assault, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

Deputies from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Creal Springs Mini Mart in Creal Springs at 6:54 a.m. on July 8 for a report of a man causing a disturbance and threatening customers.

Deputies found Murphy had tried to leave the store without paying for merchandise and was making threats to an employee and patron, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Patrons described Murphy’s behavior as threatening and alarming and said there has been prior incidents which caused similar concern.

Deputies obtained a signed complaint and tried to locate Murphy who was found outside his home.

While trying to approach Murphy, deputies were initially impeded as he had a shovel in his hands.

He was ordered to put the shovel down, but refused instead raising the shovel over his head in the direction of deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.

After multiple warnings, deputies deployed a Taser. However, they say Murphy continued to resist.

After a brief ground struggle, deputies subdued him and he was handcuffed and secured in the rear seat of a patrol vehicle.

Murphy taken to the Williamson County Jail.